So what is it all about ?
The origins of Valentine's Day are a heady mixture of myth, history, and pagan rites.
St Valentine

Legend has it…. a certain 3rd-century priest named Valentine performed clandestine marriage ceremonies, despite a ban by the Roman emperor Claudius 11 . Imprisoned by his persistent flouting of Roman law, Valentine promptly fell deeply in love with his gaoler’s daughter, with some historians saying that he even cured her blindness. Condemned to death on February 14th c270, Valentine signed his last heart -breaking letter to his love... “From your Valentine”.

The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. By the 15th century, it had elvolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greetings cards (known as valentines).
Valentine’s day symbols that are used today, include the heart shaped outline, doves and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, hand-written valentines have given way to mass-produced greetings cards.

Our very own Valentine

Congratulations to Mark & Amy who recently became engaged at Clavelshay Barn . It has always been a special place for them as it was one of the first places they visited when they first met. Mark proposed in the restaurant on Amy’s 30th birthday and she said “yes”. They are planning to get married in the summer and have their reception at - you’ve guessed it – Clavelshay Barn. Our very best wishes to you both ….